The Beaver Valley Nitehawks beat the Castlegar Rebels 6-3 in KIJHL action on Friday night in Fruitvale in the first game of a home and home series.
The 'Hawks were led by four goals and two assists from veteran forward Dallas Calvin who opened the scoring at 14:02 of the first period with a short-handed goal. Jamie Vlanich tied the game shortly after with a power play marker assisted by Aaron Brewer and Diego Bartlett. The home team took a commanding 4-1 lead after the first with three unanswered goals to end the period.
A power play goal from Dan Holland at 5:54 of the second put BV up 5-1. Goals from Aaron Petten (Kody Disher, Erik Alden) and Alden (Stu Walton, Matt Reed) gave Castlegar some life as they moved within two goals. But the visitors couldn't get any closer and would fall 6-3.
Connor Beauchamp struggled between the pipes for the Rebs, giving up four goals on 13 shots and getting the yank at 16:03 of the first period. Jordan Gluck finished the game, stopping 22 of 24 shots.
The Rebels outshot the 'Hawks 41-37.
The win puts BV within two points of Castlegar for second place in the Neil Murdoch division with 46 (22-11-1-1). Nelson, who beat Spokane last night, is first with 52 points.
The two teams return to action tonight (Saturday) at the Castlegar Community Complex at 7:30 p.m.